What with all the activities I do, my feet and toes are in a general state of discontent. They don't get a rest, either.

Between the too-small climbing shoes (really much too small, but I paid over $100 for them, so I have to tough it out until I wear the rubber out, thankfully very soon!), and the uncomfortable ski-boots, my toenails (specifically the big ones) have broken down in the middle and let in fungus. Now I can't get rid of it. I have been using the creams and it seems (somewhat) to be helping, though slowly. I've been paying more attention to keeping the nails trimmed and from now on will be paying more attention to the shoes I will be buying.

However, my cycling shoes are far more comfortable than either my ski boots or climbing shoes (maybe this is just in comparison, though? I know I am less aware of 'comfort' in my feet due to practically living in too-small climbing slippers) so my tootsies are always really happy in them.

I used to be a fan of the too-small shoe thing, because some people feel that in climbing, really tight shoes will make you climb harder, and while it may be somewhat true in that if you have a snug fitting shoe you can have better precision, etc., if your shoes are so tight that you end up getting foot and toe problems (a friend of mine has had repeated surgeries on her feet due to poor foot-care) you will only end up hurting your technique instead of helping it. I would imagine this logic transfers over into cycling as well.

The thing I like about cycling shoes is that they don't NEED to be extremely tight to work. Try a slightly larger pair of shoes, it may take some time to get used to but I bet after a year in them your toes will be happier, and you'll be wondering why on earth you subjected yourself to such pain and uncomfort.

K.